TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A gift by a Mobile organization comprised of University of Alabama alumni, including former Crimson Tide football players, has created the first endowed football scholarship at UA.

The Red Elephant Club of Mobile has given $250,000 to establish the scholarship, said Mal Moore, UA athletic director.

“The Mobile Red Elephant Club was founded by Coach Bryant in 1961, and it has been steadfast in its support of our athletic program,” Moore said. “We appreciate this gift and all the support the club has provided to us throughout the years.”

The athletic department reimburses the University the cost for each of the athletic scholarships awarded to Crimson Tide athletes. This endowed scholarship will pay the cost of one football scholarship each year in perpetuity, enabling the athletic department to invest an equivalent amount of money each year in other needs, Moore said.

“We wish we would have done this 30 years ago,” said Dr. Gerry Phillips, 2004-2005 president for the Mobile Red Elephant Club. The group, comprised of about 220 members, is more than one-third of the way toward its goal of establishing a second endowed scholarship, said Phillips, a physician who is president and CEO of Cardiology Associates of Mobile.

“There are thousands and thousands of fans out there who love the University as much as we do, and we’re hoping they will come on board with similar gifts. We’re also hoping this sends a message to the football coaches, the players, and the school itself, of the confidence we have in the coaching staff and in the future of Alabama football,” Phillips said.

Moore said the timing of the gift was particularly advantageous as the department is in the midst of its Crimson Tradition fundraising effort, a $100 million fundraising campaign for University of Alabama athletic facility improvements.

The Crimson Tradition Fund, chaired by Paul Bryant Jr., seeks to raise $50 million from private gifts and another $50 million from the issuance of bonds. Naming opportunities are available for gifts of $100,000 or more.

For more information on the Crimson Tradition Fund Campaign, contact the Office of Athletic Development at 205/348-9727.